Where’s My Money?

Since the WWE Network debuted and the terrific work I did as beloved co-host of America’s second most-watched cable TV program is again seeing the light of day, I’ve been flooded with praise. Paul Heyman said on my radio show that the WWE Network’s most accessed feature would undoubtedly be “Nitro: The Mark Madden Years.” It was more like a year, singular – but Paul E. was right.

To wit, I’ve received cards and letters like the following:

*It’s great to see Mark Madden on the old Nitro broadcasts and WCW pay-per-views. When a dirt-sheet guy like that hits it big, it inspires lesser lights like me to keep plugging away. Maybe ROH will start up a 900 number and let me run it! Madden has (had) looks, but a school marm like me has the brains. I’m from Hollywood! Actually, I’m from Greensboro.

B. Mitchell, Front Row, Sec. D

*Mark Madden was awesome when he did color commentary for WCW. I really liked that time he said DDP was 40, looked 30 and wrestled like he’s 20. Oh, wait, he didn’t say that. That’s why I got his fat ass fired.

P. Falkinburg, Atlanta

*I’d almost forgotten about that “Snootchie Bootches” stuff. Weird. Is there a way to get that edited off the WWE Network? Is that like getting a restraining order?

S. Keibler, Hollywood. Really.

OK, so perhaps reviews are mixed.

But my main concern is: When do I get paid? Fez gets residuals from reruns of “That ‘70s Show.” I should get something. WWE is selling my work.

But, even as WWE profits from my toil, I have no idea how WWE intends to compensate me for my appearances on the WWE Network. I don’t know how much I'm getting. I don’t know the payment schedule. WWE hasn’t told me anything.

Just like C.M. Punk. Just like all the marks currently toiling for WWE who have zero idea how the WWE Network affects their pay, their families and their lives.

WWE has undergone cataclysmic change. Yet everyone affected by the trickledown is being kept in the dark by Vince McMahon. McMahon still hasn't said one thing about how providing content for the network by way of eliminating PPVs affects how much money his employees earn.